In a significant move aimed at bolstering the tourism industry in Uttar Pradesh, the state cabinet has approved the Land Lease Policy-2024, designed to incentivise private sector’s participation in tourism development, and offers provisions for leasing government land from the state’s land bank without bureaucratic hurdles.
According to the approved proposal, government-owned land will be leased out for a maximum duration of 90 years, divided into three phases of 30 years each, aligning with existing land allotment policies.
This initiative aims to streamline land allocation processes, particularly benefiting investors with well-prepared proposals for capital investment, thereby fostering tourism growth and encouraging entrepreneurial ventures. This move is anticipated to not only invigorate the tourism sector but also stimulate the creation of direct and indirect employment opportunities at the grassroots level.
Principal Secretary, Tourism and Culture, Mukesh Kumar Meshram said that the overarching goal of the policy was to position Uttar Pradesh as a premier investment destination for tourism in the country, thereby amplifying tourism inflow and enhancing tourist infrastructure. To facilitate private sector engagement, the government has amassed a robust land bank, either directly or through public-private partnership (PPP) to bolster tourism infrastructure development.
In another development, the cabinet has green-signalled the transfer of unused inspection buildings and post bungalows, nestled in picturesque locales across the state and currently under the purview of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, to the Tourism department.
Among those earmarked for transfer are the Visundari Inspection Building in Sonbhadra, Karma Inspection Building, Nishogi Inspection Building, and Oil Kanal Kothi in Panyora village, Lakhimpur Kheri.
Most of these structures, situated along riverbanks, lakes, dams, and canals, boast of unparalleled natural beauty and hold historical and heritage significance, often serving as popular picnic spots and eco-tourism destinations.
Drawing inspiration from tourism policies in states like Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Uttarakhand, and Kerala, these buildings will be entrusted to the Tourism department for operation by private entrepreneurs, thereby enhancing tourist attractions, creating job opportunities, and boosting the income of local communities.